Scarlets wing Lewis back for Ulster trip
United Rugby Championship: Ulster v ScarletsVenue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Date: Saturday 1 March Kick-off: 17:15 GMTCoverage: Watch live on S4C, BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online from 17:00 GMT. Listen live on BBC Radio Wales.
Wing Tomi Lewis will make his first Scarlets appearance for nine months in Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) trip to Ulster.Lewis, 26, has not featured since rupturing his Achilles in last June's defeat to Dragons.He is named in a side showing seven personnel changes from the loss out in Munster.Macs Page starts on the other wing, while there is new front row of Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias and Sam Wainwright. Elias takes over the captaincy in the continued absence of injured flanker Josh Macleod.Lock Alex Craig starts alongside Sam Lousi, while Max Douglas switches to blind-side flanker in a back row that includes Dan Davis and Jarrod Taylor.Wales squad centre Joe Roberts starts but Taine Plumtree misses out because of a head injury after the flanker was also released by national interim coach Matt Sherratt.
Friends reunited
Scrum-half Conor McKee will make his competitive Ulster debut when he partners fly-half Jack Murphy.Ulster go into the contest 14th in the table after losing seven of their 11 fixtures which include the most recent defeats by Italian sides Zebre and Benetton.The Belfast-based side have not lost at home to a Welsh region since Scarlets defeated them in February 2016 and Ulster have won their last five league fixtures against Dwayne Peel's side.Scarlets' only away victory this season was 25-19 against Cardiff at the Arms Park in October 2024 and they have not beaten an Irish province since Connacht visited Llanelli in March 2021.For Scarlets assistant coach Jared Payne, the trip to Belfast will be a homecoming, with the former Ireland centre spending 10 years as a player and coach with Ulster."It will be my first time on the visiting team," said Payne."It will be good to go back, see a few old friends and obviously try and get one over on them as well."They have had their fair share of injuries this season, they are getting a few players back this week and knowing a few of the guys who are stepping back into the fold they are pretty competitive and will want to right the wrongs of the last few weeks. "I am sure they are going to come out fighting and are going to be a dangerous team."
Ulster: Stewart Moore; Michael Lowry, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Conor McKee; Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson, Alan O'Connor (capt), Matthew Dalton, Matty Rae, Nick Timoney, James McNabney.Replacements: John Andrew, Sam Crean, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite.Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Tomi Lewis; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias (capt), Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor.Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Sam O'Connor, Gabe Hawley, Jac Price, Vaea Fifita, Archie Hughes, Charlie Titcombe, Steff Evans.Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)Assistant referees: Padraic Reidy (IRFU), Paula Haycock (IRFU)TMO: Rob McGreer (SRU).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
8 hours ago
- STV News
Henco Venter disappointed to be leaving Glasgow due to Scottish Rugby strategy
Henco Venter expressed disappointment over his impending Glasgow exit after becoming one of the first victims of Scottish Rugby's drive to reduce the number of non-Scottish-qualified players affiliated to the country's two professional clubs. It was announced in March that the 33-year-old South African back-rower would be leaving Warriors this summer to join French second-tier side Brive. Venter, a fans' favourite at Scotstoun, had hoped to extend his two-year stint at the club, and head coach Franco Smith said in April he would have liked to have retained the forward. However, Scottish Rugby director of rugby David Nucifora is overseeing a shift in strategy to provide more opportunities for Scottish-qualified players to play for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Explaining his reasons for leaving at a press conference on Monday, Venter said: 'Oh, tricky question. It's from above and all the stuff going on in Scotland rugby with the foreigners. That's basically one of the main reasons. I love this place and I'd love to stay here.' Venter has had more than two months to get his head around the fact his Glasgow career will be over once their involvement in the United Rugby Championship play-offs is over this month, but he admits he was not expecting to be released. 'It's rugby, so there's always something and some challenge to overcome, some injury,' he said. 'So, yeah, it's bad and I didn't like it, but it's rugby. You don't take anything personally. 'You learn to accept stuff and just be better where you can be better and perform where you can perform and enjoy every moment. I'll enjoy this week and hopefully next week.' Venter insisted he 'respects' Scottish Rugby's change of policy with regard to foreign players. 'I understand that's their plan going forward and I respect it,' he said. 'I am not Scottish, so it's a privilege to be here and to give back to the club and to the country. 'If they make their plans, they have a will to make Scotland rugby better and I hope they succeed in it.' Venter was the toast of Scotstoun during and after Friday's URC quarter-final victory over Stormers as he scored a try and produced a magnificent display in his final home match for the Warriors. They now face Leinster in the semi-final at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, and the South African is braced for a formidable task as he bids to prolong his Glasgow career by one more week. When asked what it would require to win in Dublin, he said: 'Twenty-three dogs and 80 minutes of just everyone giving everything. 'They're a class outfit with world-class players and world-class coaching staff. But it's rugby. So if we do our stuff right, then we can do it. 'These games, this is what you play for. Big stakes, big crowd, everyone just ready to give everything.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Cardiff sign Test props Sebastian and Wainwright
International tight-head props Javan Sebastian and Sam Wainwright have joined Cardiff from Edinburgh and Scarlets respectively for 30, moved from home region Scarlets to Edinburgh in 2023 having made his Scotland debut in 27, impressed for north Wales side RGC and Wales Under-20s before joining Saracens in earned a Wales call for their 2022 tour to South Africa under then-national coach Wayne Pivac and played in the historic win over the Springboks in South was the only time Wales have beaten South Africa on their own and Wainwright, whose contract lengths have not been disclosed, will challenge Wales tight-head Keiron Assiratti for the number three jersey, as well as Will Davies-King. "Javan has gone away from Wales and developed as a person and a player, picking up international experience. He is technically excellent around his set-piece and will add to the Cardiff game model with his work in open play," said Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt."Sam will add real depth and competition to the tight-head position. He has very good experience for a 27-year-old - playing in the English Premiership at Saracens and the URC (United Rugby Championship) with the Scarlets, while gaining international experience."He has a real passion for the set-piece and a great work ethic that will enable him to add to our game model."Sebastian said: "I have seen what they have been building at Cardiff over the last couple of years and it's really exciting."Moving closer to home and family is also nice and I'm looking forward to giving 100% for the jersey."Wainwright said: "Myself and my family are really grateful for the opportunity Cardiff have given us and we are really looking forward to coming to the capital and linking up with such a great team, with so much history."We have heard nothing but good things about Cardiff. It is a great environment for players and their families, which was a big reason for signing."The signings come during a torrid period in Welsh professional have been owned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), who took them out of administration in April amid serious financial and Dragons subsequently signed a new deal with the governing body - the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA).Scarlets and Ospreys have not done so and say they asked the WRU for assurances the takeover "will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs" but claim they were not given guarantees.
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
Cardiff announce double signing as Wales international switches regions and Scotland star joins
Cardiff announce double signing as Wales international switches regions and Scotland star joins Matt Sherratt has added two internationals to his squad ahead of next season Wainwright has joined Cardiff ahead of next season (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) Cardiff Rugby have announced the double signing of international tighthead props Javan Sebastian and Sam Wainwright. Scotland international and former Scarlets player Sebastian returns to Wales after spending two seasons with Edinburgh, while four-cap Wales front row Wainwright makes the move from Parc y Scarlets to the Arms Park, having spent three years in Llanelli since moving from Saracens. The pair will now compete with Keiron Assiratti and Will Davies-King for the starting number three jersey for Matt Sherratt's side from next season. 'We're delighted to secure the services of Javan and Sam," said Sherratt as the double signing was confirmed. 'Javan has gone away from Wales and developed as a person and a player, picking up international experience. "He is technically excellent around his set piece and will add to the Cardiff game model with his work in open play. 'Sam will add real depth and competition to the tight head position," he added. "He has very good experience for a 27-year-old - playing in the English Premiership at Saracens and the URC with the Scarlets, while gaining international experience. 'He has a real passion for the set piece and a great work ethic that will enable him to add to our game model. We look forward to welcoming both players and their families to Cardiff.' Article continues below Wainwright - who made 50 appearances during his stint with the Scarlets - said that he had heard "nothing but good things" about the capital city region as he spoke of his excitement at joining Sherratt's squad. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 'Myself and my family are really grateful for the opportunity Cardiff have given us and we are really looking forward to coming to the capital and linking up with such a great team, with so much history," he said. 'We have heard nothing but good things about Cardiff. It is a great environment for players and their families, which was a big reason for signing.' Sebastian, who represented Wales at U16 and U18 level but has won 10 caps for Scotland after qualifying through his father, added that he was "looking forward to calling the Arms Park home." "I'm really looking forward to joining such a great club," he said. "I have seen what they have been building at Cardiff over the last couple of years and it's really exciting. 'Moving closer to home and family is also nice and I'm looking forward to giving 100% for the jersey. Article continues below "I know a lot of the boys there, so it will be awesome to catch up with a few of the guys I have grown up with in Wales, playing with and against. 'I'm also looking forward to calling the Arms Park home. It's always a really special place to play with an awesome crowd.' Sebastian and Wainwright are the latest players to sign for Cardiff ahead of next season, with deals already confirmed for Wales internationals Taine Basham and Ioan Lloyd as well as locks George Nott and Tom Cottle.
